DELICIA CONFRONTS IMAN ABOUT SHAYLA
SCENE 1 — DELICIA’S HOUSE — BEDROOM — NIGHT
The house is quiet.
The soft glow of a bedside lamp fills Delicia’s bedroom.
Delicia sits on the edge of her bed.
Tears roll down her cheeks.
She wipes them away, but more tears follow.
Her mind keeps replaying the moment she saw Shayla sitting close to Iman.
Delicia takes a shaky breath.
She looks down at her hands.
She feels hurt, embarrassed, and angry all at once.
Why would he let her get that close to him?
She shakes her head.
I trusted him.
Her voice cracks.
She lies back on the bed and covers her face with her hands.
A few moments pass.
Suddenly, there is a knock at the front door.
Delicia hears it but doesn’t move.
Another knock follows.
She continues crying quietly.
The front door opens.
Footsteps move through the house.
A moment later, Iman appears at the bedroom doorway.
He immediately notices Delicia sitting on the bed with tears in her eyes.
His expression changes.
He looks concerned.
Delicia?
She quickly turns her face away.
Iman walks into the room.
What’s wrong?
Delicia says nothing.
Iman takes a few steps closer.
Why are you crying?
Delicia wipes her cheeks.
Nothing.
Iman knows something is wrong.
He sits down nearby.
Don’t tell me it’s nothing. I can see that you’re hurt.
Delicia remains silent.
Iman watches her carefully.
Please talk to me.
She looks away.
I don’t want to talk.
Iman becomes even more worried.
Did somebody say something to you?
Delicia shakes her head.
Did something happen?
No answer.
Delicia, please. Tell me what happened.
She takes a deep breath.
Her eyes fill with tears again.
Iman reaches toward her, but she moves slightly away.
He stops.
Okay. I won’t pressure you.
A short silence fills the room.
But Iman still looks concerned.
Just tell me why you’re hurting.
Delicia finally looks at him.
Her voice is quiet.
Because you’re cheating on me.
Iman freezes.
His eyes widen.
What?
Delicia looks directly at him.
You heard me.
Iman shakes his head immediately.
No. Delicia, I’m not cheating on you.
She wipes another tear from her face.
Yes, you are.
No, I’m not.
Then explain what I saw.
Iman looks confused.
What did you see?
Delicia’s voice becomes more emotional.
Shayla.
Iman immediately understands.
He takes a breath.
Delicia…
She interrupts him.
You were sitting there with Shayla on your lap!
Iman looks shocked.
No. That’s not what happened.
I saw it with my own eyes!
She stands up from the bed.
Her tears continue falling.
Why would you let another girl sit that close to you?
Iman stands as well.
He keeps a respectful distance between them.
I didn’t ask her to sit there.
Delicia looks at him skeptically.
So you’re saying you had nothing to do with it?
Exactly.
He shakes his head.
Shayla came over and sat there herself. I didn’t invite her to sit on my lap.
Delicia crosses her arms.
But you didn’t move her.
Iman pauses.
I know how it looked.
He looks genuinely concerned.
But it wasn’t what you think.
Delicia looks away.
That’s what everybody says when they get caught.
Iman takes a slow breath.
I didn’t get caught doing anything because I didn’t do anything.
Delicia looks back at him.
You don’t understand how I felt.
Her voice trembles.
I saw her sitting that close to you, and suddenly I felt like I wasn’t important to you anymore.
Iman’s expression softens.
Delicia, you are important to me.
She shakes her head.
Then why does this keep happening?
It isn’t happening.
I saw it.
And I’m telling you the truth about it.
Delicia turns away.
She starts crying again.
All boys are the same.
Iman looks hurt by her words.
He slowly moves closer.
Don’t say that.
Delicia wipes her tears.
Why not?
Because I’m not trying to hurt you.
She looks at him.
Then prove it.
Iman looks into her eyes.
I don’t need Shayla.
Delicia remains silent.
I don’t want Shayla.
He takes another small step toward her.
You’re the person I love.
Delicia’s expression softens slightly, but she is still upset.
Then why did it look like that?
Because she sat there without asking me.
He pauses.
I should have moved immediately. I understand why you’re angry.
Delicia looks surprised by his admission.
So you admit you should have done something?
Yes.
He nods.
I should have made the situation clear right away.
Delicia looks down.
But I swear to you, I never wanted anything with her.
He gently reaches for Delicia’s hand.
This time, she doesn’t pull away.